Beta Sigma Phi

Beta Sigma Phi
Beta Sigma Phi
ΒΣΦ
	The official crest of Beta Sigma Phi.
Founded	April 30, 1931 (age 93); Abilene, Kansas
Type	Social
Scope	International; ; United States, Germany, Canada, Zimbabwe, British Columbia
Motto	Life, Learning and Friendship
Colors	Black █ and ; Gold █
Symbol	the Torch
Flower	Yellow Rose
Chapters	12,500+
Headquarters	1800 W. 91st Place; Kansas City, Missouri 64114; USA
Website	http://www.betasigmaphi.org/

Beta Sigma Phi International (ΒΣΦ) is a non-academic sorority with 200,000 members in chapters around the world. Founded in Abilene, Kansas in 1931 by Walter W. Ross, the organization has spread to every state of the United States, to every Canadian province, and to 30 other countries. The sorority was founded for the social, cultural, and civic enrichment of its members. Donations of approximately $1 million have been made to medical research and treatment and to such institutions as homes for children.[1]

History

Beta Sigma Phi is a social and cultural organization that incorporates service as a greater part of its activities. Service is done locally and internationally and is a tribute to the character of the members. The cultural programs are important in Beta Sigma Phi. They are the basic element of the organization. Through these programs each member is encouraged to grow personally, while at the same time participating in the growth of her sisters. They are designed to broaden personal knowledge and understanding of self, friends, and the world. As a member of Beta Sigma Phi it is in our nature not only to give the best that is in us to ourselves and our sorority, but to give the best that is in us to our world.

In April of 1932 Beta Sigma Phi was incorporated under a charter granted by the state of Missouri. Today, Beta Sigma Phi is a nonprofit corporation which maintains a contract with Walter W. Ross & Company for complete business management of all its affairs. In addition to the International Constitution each chapter composes its own set of bylaws. The Torch is the official magazine of Beta Sigma Phi and has grown from a four-page bulletin to a magazine of thirty-two pages which publishes stories and poems by members, personality sketches of its International Honorary Members and others, runs contests for short stories, and poetry. The Torch continues to provide a connecting link between active members, all of whom receive it as a part of their membership. It is an important source of information about the organization.

The organization had started out with the unlikely name, "The National ‘What to Read’ Club." But when Walter Ross, the founder of Beta Sigma Phi, took his dream to Vinita, Oklahoma, the first of many encounters took place. Mrs. Leona Schroers was the librarian in Vinita and she agreed to help with the establishment of a chapter in her town. She also gave Mr. Ross an introduction to Mrs. Sally Rogers McSpadden whoa leader in women's organizations of the day. Mrs. McSpadden soon convinced Walter Ross that the organization should be changed from an association to its present form and that the name must really be changed. With her suggestions and Mrs. Schroers’ assistance, a new framework for the organization was developed and the Greek letter name grew out of the motto chosen for the sorority. The letters, "Beta," "Sigma," and "Phi" were the first letters of the Greek words for life, learning, and friendship.

Facts about Beta Sigma Phi

Beta Sigma Phi initiated its 1,000,000 member in 1995
Beta Sigma Phi is primarily social. While many chapters may indeed do community service work, there is no requirement to do so.
Beta Sigma Phi has yearly state conventions.
Each year, the sorority has a new theme. For their 75th anniversary in 2007, the theme is "75 Years Young".
Beta Sigma Phi's earn progressive degrees of membership. There is the Nu Phi Mu, Ritual of Jewels, Exemplar, Preceptor, Laureate and Master Degrees.
The Beta Sigma Phi Badge is usually a large enamel Phi with the Greek letters Beta and Sigma engraved on the left and right respectively. The top of the Phi may resemble a torch.
Most chapters are community based, but Beta Sigma Phi has chapters on college campuses, although college is not a requirement to join.
The official magazine is called "The Torch of Beta Sigma Phi"

Famous & Honorary members

Programs

International Endowment Fund - (health research groups & charities.)
Disaster Relief Fund - (aids members who are victims of natural disasters.)
Breast Cancer Research Fund - (supports research organizations.)
Scholarship Fund - (awards scholarships to members, their children and grandchildren.)

References

External links